Bobcats
You are now visiting the bobcat habitat.
Bobcats are native wild cats found throughout much of North America, including here in the Pacific Northwest. Although they are only about twice the size of a house cat, bobcats are powerful, adaptable predators capable of running up to 30 miles per hour and leaping more than 12 feet in a single jump.
Bobcats are usually solitary animals that rely on stealth and patience while hunting. Their spotted coats provide excellent camouflage, helping them blend into forests, brush, and rocky landscapes. Even here at Cat Tales, they can sometimes be surprisingly difficult to spot while resting quietly in their habitat.
One way to identify a bobcat is by looking at the tail. Bobcats have a short tail with a black tip on top and a white underside. Their ears also have white markings on the back that can look like eyes, helping discourage potential predators from approaching unnoticed.
Two of the bobcats living here are Amala and Stitches.
Amala was once kept as a pet before becoming too dangerous to safely manage as she matured. When she first arrived, she was extremely shy after years of isolation. Today, staff work with her using positive reinforcement training to encourage calm behaviors such as stationing, crate training, and stepping onto a scale for health checks and veterinary care.
Stitches was orphaned as a very young kitten in South Dakota. His playful personality inspired his name, since staff joked that he might someday cause someone to need stitches. Today, he enjoys quietly observing keepers as they work nearby and is known for blending perfectly into his surroundings.
Take a moment to look carefully around the habitat. Bobcats rely on stillness, camouflage, and awareness more than size or strength. Often, the first challenge is simply spotting them.
As you continue around the sanctuary loop, you will soon arrive at the puma habitat.